Friday, February 6, 2015

There have been major research findings regarding what helps us age well minimizing and slowing down physical and mental deterioration.

Here is an excerpt from one recent research findings sent to me:

"Although people might be living longer, the years they gain often come
with increased risks for mental illness and neurodegenerative disease.
Fortunately, a new study shows meditation could be one way to minimize
those risks."

From many other sources, the consensus seems that the most valuable action one can take for both physical and mental well being includes regular and sustained physical activity, especially regular aerobic activity, as well as mental exercise. I highly recommend this recent extensive review of research findings and recommendations:

"It turns out that our brains, like our bodies in general, are far more
likely to waste away from underuse than to wear down from overuse."

"the foundation for the brain’s distinctive way of healing. If an area is
damaged, new neurons can often take over old tasks. Nor are we just our
neurons. Our memories and experiences are also encoded in the patterns
of electrical energy produced by our brain cells, like a musical score.
As with an orchestra, when one member of the string section is sick, the
show can still go on if a replacement has access to the musical score."

"They found that men who consistently did a few things reduced their risk
for cognitive decline and dementia by a staggering 60%. These
activities included eating a healthy diet (at least three to four
servings of fruits and vegetables a day); maintaining a normal weight,
with a body-mass index of 18 and 25; limiting alcohol to about a glass
of wine a day; and not smoking. But the activity with the biggest impact on risk was walking at least 2
miles a day, biking 10 miles a day or engaging in some other regular,
vigorous physical exercise. All five of these factors have been found in
other studies to promote the general health of two types of cells in
the brain: neurons and glial cells (which interact with and protect
neurons)."

This surprising and controversial statement is further amplified in the following:

"The wider Sunni rebellion against Persian
domination comprises not only lunatic foreign fighters (Chechens,
Saudis, Swedes, etc.) but also former elements of Saddam Hussein’s
regime as well as—and this is the central fact of the Sunni
rebellion—Sunni Arab tribes. In other words, Jordan’s Arab tribes have
been enlisted to fight Arab tribes who are fighting against Iran and its
allies—who are coordinating their anti-Sunni campaign with the United
States."

Here are some conclusions of this interesting and insightful analysis of the deep issues involved in the contradictory aspects of US policy as regards Iran, the Iran nuclear talks and the role of the Obama White House. What is true? What are good alternatives for the US? What is compassionate action in
the midst of these events?

"First of all, it’s not
clear how Iran can accept any permanent agreement with the White House
about the nuclear program, or anything else, for that matter. From
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps’ perspective, a deal might empower
President Hassan Rouhani at their expense. From Rouhani’s perspective, a
deal might make him, a so-called moderate, superfluous as someone who’s
already played his role. Most important, there is the point of view of
Khamenei, which partakes of the historic rationale of the Islamic
Republic. Its founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini promised one thing—not
to raise the standard of living or educate women, nor even to hasten
the return of the Mahdi, but rather that the life of a genuine Muslim
rested on the pillar of resistance against the godless, the arrogant
West, especially America. Signing an accord with the Great Satan would
undermine the fundamental legitimacy of the regime.

Obama wants a deal with Iran so much in large part because he doesn’t
think the United States should be the world’s policeman—and he’s right.
Our oil and natural gas industry won’t make us energy independent but
it makes us less dependent and we simply don’t need that high a profile
in a part of the world that has seldom returned our love. So, why keep
shedding blood and spending money—as well as domestic political
capital—in the Middle East?

The answer is not that we need to look out for the world’s interests,
but that we need to continue protecting our own. A nuclear weapon in
the hands of an expansionist regime doesn’t get the United States out of
the Middle East. It puts Iran on our doorstep, by turning the clerical
regime into an aggressive global nuclear-armed power. There can’t be
much question by now about what Iran has in mind for the Middle East, or
for other countries that it enlists in its schemes, like Argentina.
What Iran wants makes the world a more dangerous place for Americans.
The question is not whether there’s a deal to be had with Iran, but if
it’s too late to crash the comprehensive agreement the White House has
already struck with our new regional partner—whose sickening
consequences are plain to see."